The H&R Handy-Gun is a
smoothbore pistol, manufactured from 1921-1934 by the Harrington
& Richardson Arms Company in Worcester, Massachusettes. It
was made in .410 and 28 gauges, most commonly in barrel lengths
of 20.32cm (8") or 31.12cm (12.25"). The Handy-Gun has
an unusual tiger-stripe finish, simulating color case hardening.

Under normal circumstances, the H&R
Handy-Gun could be described as several things, perhaps most
appropriate as a survival gun, a camper's or hiker's gun, or
possibly a home protection gun, giving the use of a .410 or 28
gauge shotgun in a pistol-like weapon. As of 1934, however,
circumstances changed. In that year, Congress passed the National
Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA), which requires strict registration,
licensing, and control of fully-automatic weapons, silencers,
pistols with shoulder stocks, and short-barreled shotguns such as
the H&R Handy-Gun.

Basically, the H&R Handy-Gun is a
smallbore, break-open shotgun (which is sometimes called a pistol
because of its length) with a pistol grip and a short barrel. It
is not suited for hunting (although it could be used for
short-range game); it certainly isn't a competition gun; and it
is too large for effective concealment. Because of its particular
configuration, it is classified by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco
and Firearms (BATF) as 'Any other Weapon'. It shares this
category with smoothbore revolvers, pen guns, the Marble-Game
Getter combination gun, and the Ithaca Auto-Burglar, a
double-barrel shotgun/pistol.

Most H&R Handy-Guns feature a blued
barrel, walnut grip and fore-end, and an attractive tiger-strip
finish on the frame. This was produced by a hot cyanide bath
process that simulates a true case-hardened finish. Some models
were available from the factory with a detachable shoulder stock.
A matching shoulder stock would be a valuable prize for the
collector.

Did You Know?An extremely rare variation of the H&R
Handy-Gun was made with a rifled barrel in both .32-20 WCF
(Winchester Center-Fire) and .22 Rimfire calibers. Interestingly
enough, these gunsif not equipped or accompanied by a
shoulder stockare not considered a 'firearm' under the
National Firearms Act of 1934.

This is just an example of how Gun
Control 'works'. Gun Control doesn't actually work, but it does
prevent law abiding citizens to obtain certain firearms. To a
criminal, gun control is just another law, and will break it to
obtain firearms illegally.